A caisson permit was issued Friday for Bally’s Chicago Casino, marking the official start of new construction at the former Chicago Tribune Freedom Center site in River West. Though considered a big gamble by many, the casino can now get moving, with equipment already occupying the sprawling lot, and rebar cages and iron tubing waiting to be lowered into the ground.
The Chicago Tribune Freedom Center has been scraped from the earth, but activity continues on the River West site of Bally’s Chicago Casino. As we keep an eye out for the first construction permit to be issued by the city, rebar is already being bent and curled into cages to be lowered into caissons to support the building.
The demolition of the Tribune Freedom Center has been mostly completed at 777 W Chicago Avenue in River West. Located on the corner with S Halsted Street, demolition began over six months ago on the former printing facility on the Chicago River. Replacing it will be the new Bally’s casino, hotel, and entertainment complex.
The Chicago Tribune Freedom Center gets closer to oblivion with each passing day, just as Bally’s Chicago Casino gets closer to beginning construction. The dramatic demolition scene continues to play out at Halsted Street and Chicago Avenue in West Town, as Brandenburg Industrial Services reduces the former newspaper-printing plant to rubble.
Brandenburg Industrial Services continues work on demolition of the former Chicago Tribune Freedom Center in West Town. With Bally’s Casino and its anticipated 2026 Opening Day coming to the site, there is some urgency to wrapping up demolition so construction can begin. That’s why this building seems to be coming down so quickly.
